Where’s the Beef? The Delicious Benefits of Bison Meat

When you think of burgers, you generally think beef. It’s only natural, as burgers have classically been made with beef patties. However, as time goes on, there are more and more patty alternatives. Turkey, chicken, lamb and even fish have infiltrated the market and are redefining what it is exactly that makes a burger. That being said, it’s hard to beat the taste of the tried and true original. However, there’s another red meat alternative that’s quietly growing in popularity – bison. These distant relatives of American cattle are the largest animal indigenous to North America. Once purveyed only through ranchers and select local butchers, bison meat is becoming more commonly available in larger grocery retailers. This is leading many people to wonder – just what are the benefits of bison meat?

Great Flavor

While some claim that there’s no real difference in the taste of beef and bison, others disagree. Despite being classified as “wild game,” bison meat is not at all gamey. In fact, depending on the cut, bison meat is actually quite tender. It has a lighter flavor and tastes slightly sweet compared to beef. Many claim that bison meat tastes richer, which could be due to the fact that there’s generally less fat content than in traditional cuts of beef. However, because there’s less fat, it can dry out faster than beef when overcooked. When cooked properly, it’s deliciously rich and juicy.

Healthier Humans

For those looking for a leaner alternative to traditional burgers, bison meat makes a wonderful substitution. It’s a top protein food that supplies a variety of other essential nutrients, including B vitamins, zinc, and iron. One of the many benefits of bison meat is that it contains a high concentration of CLA or conjugated linoleic acid. CLA has been associated with fat loss, and research suggests it has been shown to reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, and a number of immune disorders. In addition, bison meat has high concentrations of selenium, a natural trace element that acts as a mood elevator. Thus, bison burgers can be a natural “happy meal.”

Another one of the benefits of bison meat is the number of healthy fats it contains. Bison that are wild and raised outdoors have a better concentration of fatty acids than standard beef because of the differences in how they’re bred and raised. Free-range or wild bison meat has less omega-6s (bad fat) and more omega-3s (good fats) compared to feedlot bison or cattle. On a whole, bison meat is much leaner than beef, usually containing between 90-98% lean meat and only 2-10% fat. By comparison, most beef you get in the supermarket, even organic, is 85% lean meat and 15% fat.

When comparing the benefits of bison meat and beef, the former certainly makes for a healthier burger. According to the USDA, 100 grams of lean bison meat contains only about 109 calories and 2 grams of fat. The same amount of beef would have about 291 calories and 24 grams of fat.

Healthier Animals

Another one of the benefits of bison meat is that you can feel better about your health while also supporting more responsible and sustainable farming practices. Since recovering from near extinction in the last century, the bison population has blossomed. They aren’t farmed industrially like American cattle, which means bison meat is almost always grass-fed and free range. This means that these bison eat the natural flora and fauna that nature intended. They aren’t given barely-edible feed, unnatural growth hormones, or unnecessary antibiotics.

Bison very commonly live freely in the wild or on large ranches, untouched by the industrial farming practices that have befallen many American cattle. Since they’re still considered “wild game,” according to the USDA, most slaughterhouses are not equipped to handle them. They live outside in their natural habitat, eat their natural diet, and thus stay in better health. This makes for better, more high-quality meat.

Because bison have been allowed to live and breed freely, their muscular structure is thought to be very close to their original and natural form before human intervention. That’s why their meat is much leaner. This stands in stark contrast compared to factory farmed cattle, which are selectively bred for fat marbling, or fat growth inside the meat, in order to make it more attractive to consumers.

Ready to Taste the Benefits of Bison Meat?

Clearly, there are many different ways to enjoy the delicious benefits of bison meat. However, there’s no better way to sink your teeth into the tender and delicious flavors it has to offer than by trying out an amazing bison burger from Liberty Burger. We use grass-fed, wild buffalo that live, feed, and breed right in Texas and Oklahoma. They’re raised naturally, without hormones, antibiotics, or stimulants. We at Liberty want to change the way you look at your food, which is why we take great care in responsibly sourcing every single ingredient. Stop by one of our many locations today and get your hands on one of our delectable burgers. Have questions? We have answers, just get in touch with us!